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〃you look very pale。〃
〃Nothing； my child；〃 she said and stooped down and
kissed him。
That night Amelia made the boy read the story of
Samuel to her； and how Hannah； his mother； having
weaned him； brought him to Eli the High Priest to
minister before the Lord。 And he read the song of gratitude
which Hannah sang； and which says； who it is who
maketh poor and maketh rich； and bringeth low and
exaltethhow the poor shall be raised up out of the
dust； and how； in his own might； no man shall be strong。
Then he read how Samuel's mother made him a little
coat and brought it to him from year to year when she
came up to offer the yearly sacrifice。 And then； in her
sweet simple way； George's mother made commentaries
to the boy upon this affecting story。 How Hannah； though
she loved her son so much； yet gave him up because
of her vow。 And how she must always have thought of
him as she sat at home； far away； making the little
coat； and Samuel； she was sure； never forgot his mother；
and how happy she must have been as the time came
（and the years pass away very quick） when she should
see her boy and how good and wise he had grown。 This
little sermon she spoke with a gentle solemn voice； and
dry eyes； until she came to the account of their
meetingthen the discourse broke off suddenly； the tender
heart overflowed； and taking the boy to her breast； she
rocked him in her arms and wept silently over him in
a sainted agony of tears。
Her mind being made up； the widow began to take
such measures as seemed right to her for advancing the
end which she proposed。 One day； Miss Osborne； in
Russell Square （Amelia had not written the name or number
of the house for ten yearsher youth； her early story
came back to her as she wrote the superscription） one
day Miss Osborne got a letter from Amelia which made
her blush very much and look towards her father； sitting
glooming in his place at the other end of the table。
In simple terms； Amelia told her the reasons which
had induced her to change her mind respecting her boy。
Her father had met with fresh misfortunes which had
entirely ruined him。 Her own pittance was so small that
it would barely enable her to support her parents and
would not suffice to give George the advantages which
were his due。 Great as her sufferings would be at parting
with him she would； by God's help； endure them for the
boy's sake。 She knew that those to whom he was going
would do all in their power to make him happy。 She
described his disposition； such as she fancied itquick
and impatient of control or harshness； easily to be moved
by love and kindness。 In a postscript； she stipulated that
she should have a written agreement； that she should
see the child as often as she wishedshe could not
part with him under any other terms。
〃What？ Mrs。 Pride has come down； has she？〃 old
Osborne said； when with a tremulous eager voice Miss
Osborne read him the letter。 〃Reg'lar starved out； hey？
Ha； ha！ I knew she would。〃 He tried to keep his dignity
and to read his paper as usualbut he could not follow
it。 He chuckled and swore to himself behind the sheet。
At last he flung it down and； scowling at his daughter；
as his wont was； went out of the room into his study
adjoining； from whence he presently returned with a
key。 He flung it to Miss Osborne。
〃Get the room over minehis room that wasready；〃
he said。 〃Yes； sir；〃 his daughter replied in a tremble。
It was George's room。 It had not been opened for more
than ten years。 Some of his clothes； papers； handkerchiefs；
whips and caps； fishing…rods and sporting gear；
were still there。 An Army list of 1814； with his name
written on the cover； a little dictionary he was wont to
use in writing； and the Bible his mother had given him；
were on the mantelpiece； with a pair of spurs and a
dried inkstand covered with the dust of ten years。 Ah！
since that ink was wet； what days and people had passed
away！ The writing…book； still on the table； was blotted
with his hand。
Miss Osborne was much affected when she first
entered this room with the servants under her。 She sank
quite pale on the little bed。 〃This is blessed news； m'am
indeed； m'am；〃 the housekeeper said； 〃and the good
old times is returning； m'am。 The dear little feller； to be
sure； m'am； how happy he will be！ But some folks in
May Fair； m'am； will owe him a grudge； m'am〃； and
she clicked back the bolt which held the window…sash
and let the air into the chamber。
〃You had better send that woman some money；〃 Mr。
Osborne said； before he went out。 〃She shan't want for
nothing。 Send her a hundred pound。〃
〃And I'll go and see her to…morrow？〃 Miss Osborne
asked。
〃That's your look out。 She don't come in here； mind。
No； by ； not for all the money in London。 But she
mustn't want now。 So look out； and get things right。〃 With
which brief speeches Mr。 Osborne took leave of his
daughter and went on his accustomed way into the City。
〃Here； Papa； is some money；〃 Amelia said that
night； kissing the old man； her father； and putting a bill
for a hundred pounds into his hands。 〃Andand； Mamma；
don't be harsh with Georgy。 Hehe is not going to stop
with us long。〃 She could say nothing more； and walked
away silently to her room。 Let us close it upon her
prayers and her sorrow。 I think we had best speak little
about so much love and grief。
Miss Osborne came the next day； according to the
promise contained in her note； and saw Amelia。 The
meeting between them was friendly。 A look and a few words
from Miss Osborne showed the poor widow that； with
regard to this woman at least； there need be no fear
lest she should take the first place in her son's affection。
She was cold； sensible； not unkind。 The mother had
not been so well pleased； perhaps； had the rival been
better looking； younger； more affectionate； warmer…
hearted。 Miss Osborne； on the other hand； thought of old
times and memories and could not but be touched with
the poor mother's pitiful situation。 She was conquered；
and laying down her arms； as it were； she humbly
submitted。 That day they arranged together the
preliminaries of the treaty of capitulation。
George was kept from school the next day； and saw
his aunt。 Amelia left them alone together and went to
her room。 She was trying the separationas that poor
gentle Lady Jane Grey felt the edge of the axe that was
to come down and sever her slender life。 Days were
passed in parleys； visits； preparations。 The widow broke
the matter to Georgy with great caution； she looked to
see him very much affected by the intelligence。 He was
rather elated than otherwise； and the poor woman
turned sadly away。 He bragged about the news that day
to the boys at school； told them how he was going to
live with his grandpapa his father's father； not the one
who comes here sometimes； and that he would be very
rich； and have a carriage； and a pony； and go to a much
finer school； and when he was rich he would buy Leader's
pencil…case and pay the tart…woman。 The boy was the
image of his father； as his fond mother thought。
Indeed I have no heart； on account of our dear
Amelia's sake； to go through the story of George's last
day